Almanac / seasons
When to visit Lijiang
Lijiang is not one destination. It is a dry, bright winter, a windy spring, a wet green summer, and a sharp autumn. Pick the month that matches the trip you want.
12 months / rain, mountain, crowds, and light
Rainy season
Jun–Sep
Frequent showers and cloud. The basin is green; Jade Dragon is often hidden.
Temperature range
A year in one chart
Average daily low and high, rounded. The basin is at 2,400 metres; the mountain is much colder, and wind can close the upper cableway.
01 / Winter
January
Cold nights, clear days, and the sharpest mountain views of the year.
02 / Winter
February
Spring Festival is the busiest, most expensive week of the winter.
03 / Spring
March
Warm days, cold nights, and blossom in the villages; a strong shoulder month.
04 / Spring
April
One of the best all-round months: warm, dry, and clear before the rains.
05 / Spring
May
Warm and green, with holiday crowds and the first real rain.
06 / Summer
June
The rainy season begins: green, quiet, and often cloudy.
07 / Summer
July
Wet, cool, and busy; the mountain is a gamble.
08 / Summer
August
The busiest and wettest combination; plan for indoor time.
09 / Autumn
September
The rains ease and the light improves; a strong shoulder month.
10 / Autumn
October
Clear, golden, and busy; the National Day week is the crunch.
11 / Autumn
November
Dry, cold, and quiet: the best value month for clear mountain days.
12 / Winter
December
Cold, clear, and quiet; the mountain is at its most defined.
The short version
For the mountain
November to February. Dry air, clear skies, and the sharpest views — with cold nights.
For the basin
April and October. Warm, dry, and green or golden, before the summer monsoon.
For low prices
November to March, outside Chinese New Year. Quiet lanes and cheap rooms.